Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Net sales	$ 7,424	$ 7,061	$ 15,167	$ 14,466
Segment operating earnings	1,757	1,613	3,748	3,330
Agriculture [Member]
Net sales	3,446	3,218	7,374	7,004
Segment operating earnings	963	865	2,199	1,966
Segment net assets	10,181		10,181		$ 6,342
Increase in net assets			3,839
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Net sales	546	494	1,056	946
Segment operating earnings	116	93	205	152
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Net sales	395	355	763	707
Segment operating earnings	76	62	151	125
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Net sales	818	835	1,607	1,636
Segment operating earnings	135	130	256	234
Performance Materials [Member]
Net sales	1,381	1,335	2,749	2,584
Segment operating earnings	329	325	684	598
Protection Solutions [Member]
Net sales	801	786	1,548	1,515
Segment operating earnings	191	188	368	364
Other Segment [Member]
Net sales	37	38	70	74
Segment operating earnings	(53)	(50)	(115)	(109)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating earnings	$ 1,757	$ 1,613	$ 3,748	$ 3,330