Final answer:
The primary areas of specialization in academic philosophy are Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, and Logic, with other important subfields including philosophy of science, political philosophy, aesthetics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary areas of specialization in academic philosophy are: Metaphysics, which explores the fundamental nature of existence and reality; Epistemology, which examines the nature and scope of knowledge and belief; Ethics, which addresses questions of moral value and human conduct; and Logic, which is concerned with the principles of valid inference and reasoning.
Other key areas of philosophical inquiry include philosophy of science, encompassing the philosophical study of the methods and foundations of scientific knowledge; political philosophy, which delves into the concepts and values underpinning political systems and behavior; aesthetics, the study of art and beauty; philosophy of language, which considers the nature and function of language; and philosophy of mind, focusing on the nature of mental states and consciousness.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is a) Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics.