Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales	$ 7,405	$ 7,837
Segment operating earnings	1,717	1,810
Agriculture [Member]
Net sales	3,786	3,937
Segment operating earnings	1,101	1,138
Segment net assets	7,454		$ 6,751
Increase in net assets	703
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Net sales	452	517
Segment operating earnings	59	79
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Net sales	352	350
Segment operating earnings	63	54
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Net sales	801	813
Segment operating earnings	104	86
Performance Materials [Member]
Net sales	1,249	1,381
Segment operating earnings	273	317
Protection Solutions [Member]
Net sales	729	790
Segment operating earnings	176	167
Other Segment [Member]
Net sales	36	49
Segment operating earnings	(59)	(31)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating earnings	$ 1,717	$ 1,810