What type of reasoning is Caitlin using when she concludes that Adam has a beak because he is a bird?

Caitlin's reasoning is an example of deductive reasoning. This type of reasoning involves starting with a general principle or premise and applying it to a specific case to arrive at a conclusion. In this case, the premise is that all birds have beaks, and Caitlin applies this general rule to Adam, whom she identifies as a bird, to conclude that Adam has a beak.

Deductive reasoning is characterized by a logical progression where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises provided. If the premise is true (that all birds have beaks), then the conclusion about Adam must also be true in this context. This method is often used in mathematics and formal proofs where conclusions flow logically from established principles or axioms.

Other types of reasoning, such as informal, inductive, and empirical reasoning, do not directly align with the structured logic presented in Caitlin's conclusion. Informal reasoning may rely on more subjective interpretation or personal judgment, inductive reasoning involves drawing generalizations from specific observations, and empirical reasoning is based on observation and experimentation rather than logical deduction from a general statement.