Final answer:
The term for making inferences from irrefutable principles is Deductive reasoning. This method of logical thinking ensures the truth of its conclusions if the presented premises are true, distinguishing it from inductive and abductive reasoning which are probabilistic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that speaks to making inferences from irrefutable principles is A) Deductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is a method of logical thinking that starts with a general principle or law and uses it to forecast specific results. It is a form of logic in which a conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. This reasoning process, which had its origins with Aristotle and was further utilized by René Descartes in establishing the scientific method, guarantees the truth of the conclusion as long as the general principles are valid.
In contrast, Inductive reasoning, while widely used, does not guarantee a conclusion with certainty; instead, it provides conclusions that are most likely true based on the available evidence. Whereas Abductive reasoning or the inference to the best explanation, is also probabilistic in nature and focuses on finding the most likely explanation for the premises. In deductive reasoning, if the premises are true, the conclusion is certainly true, which distinguishes it from inductive and abductive reasoning that deal with probabilities rather than certainties.