"What Is Metaphysics?" is a lecture by the philosopher Martin Heidegger, first presented to the faculties of the University of Freiburg on July 24, 1929, as inaugural address. The lecture moves from a characterization of metaphysics that is Aristotelian ontologically but Platonic/mystic epistemologically, to a consideration of the linguistic problems of discussing Being and Nothing, which leads to his rejecting or setting aside reason and logic as a means of doing metaphysics, to the use of emotions such as boredom and dread to access Being and Nothing. In this lecture, Heidegger asks and inquires into the question of nothingness and the grounds for thinking that anxiety could have metaphysical significance and that we could genuinely encounter nothingness.