After another three years, in 1894, Boltzmann moved back to Vienna, this time to the chair of theoretical physics which became vacant on the death of his teacher Josef Stefan . However, the following year Ernst Mach was appointed to the chair of history and philosophy of science at Vienna. Boltzmann had many scientific opponents but, to Boltzmann, Mach was more than a scientific opponent as the two were on bad personal terms.
Pagkatapos ng isa pang tatlong taon, sa 1894, Boltzmann inilipat pabalik sa Vienna, sa oras na ito ang upuan ng panteorya pisika na kung saan ay naging vacant sa kamatayan ng kanyang mga guro Josef Stefan. Gayunman, ang mga sumusunod na taon Ernst Mach ay hihirangin upang angkinin ang upuan ng kasaysayan at pilosopiya ng agham at Vienna. Boltzmann nagkaroon ng maraming mga pang-agham opponents ngunit, sa Boltzmann, Mach ay higit pa sa isang pang-agham sa ibayo ng dalawang ay sa masamang personal na termino.