Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales	$ 7,061	$ 7,121	$ 14,466	$ 14,958
Segment operating earnings	1,613	1,447	3,330	3,257
Agriculture [Member]
Net sales	3,218	3,218	7,004	7,155
Segment operating earnings	865	772	1,966	1,910
Segment net assets	10,153		10,153		$ 6,751
Increase in net assets			3,402
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Net sales	494	528	946	1,045
Segment operating earnings	93	89	152	168
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Net sales	355	357	707	707
Segment operating earnings	62	50	125	104
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Net sales	835	826	1,636	1,639
Segment operating earnings	130	100	234	186
Performance Materials [Member]
Net sales	1,335	1,338	2,584	2,719
Segment operating earnings	325	301	598	618
Protection Solutions [Member]
Net sales	786	806	1,515	1,596
Segment operating earnings	188	181	364	348
Other Segment [Member]
Net sales	38	48	74	97
Segment operating earnings	(50)	(46)	(109)	(77)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating earnings	$ 1,613	$ 1,447	$ 3,330	$ 3,257