Final answer:
Refuting the skeptic involves providing grounds to reject their argument, while rebutting the skeptic involves countering their argument with alternative explanations or evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinction between refuting the skeptic and rebutting the skeptic lies in the approach taken to address the skeptic's argument. Refuting the skeptic involves providing reasonable grounds to reject the skeptic's argument, while rebutting the skeptic involves countering the skeptic's argument with alternative explanations or evidence. Both methods aim to challenge the skeptic's position, but they differ in their strategies.
For example, refuting the skeptic may involve presenting counterarguments that demonstrate flaws in the skeptic's reasoning or providing evidence that undermines the skeptic's claims. On the other hand, rebutting the skeptic may involve proposing alternative explanations or theories that can account for the doubts raised by the skeptic.