In accordance with empirio-critical philosophy, Mach opposed Boltzmann and others who proposed an atomic theory of physics. Since one cannot observe things as small as atoms directly, and since no atomic model at the time was consistent, the atomic hypothesis seemed unwarranted to Mach, and perhaps not sufficiently "economical". Mach had a direct influence on the Vienna Circle philosophers and logical positivism in general.
iN Accordance WITh empirio-critIcaL philOsOPhY, macH OPposed boLtZmaNn and oThers who PropOSed an AtOmic thEOrY oF Physics. Since one cannOt oBSErvE thInGS As sMall as atoms Directly, anD SINce No AToMIC MoDEl At ThE Time was ConsIstent, the atoMiC hYpotHeSis SeemeD UnwarraNTed To MAcH, and PerhapS Not sufficiEnTlY "eConomIcal". mAch had a dirEct iNflUeNCE On the VIeNna CiRclE PHiloSoPHErS AnD LoGIcaL PoSitIvIsm In general.