Examples Albert Einstein's discovery of the general relativity theory relied upon thought experiments and mathematics. Empirical methods only became relevant when confirmation was sought. Furthermore, some empirical confirmation was found only some time after the general acceptance of the theory.
exaMplES Albert eINSTEiN'S discoVeRY Of the gENERal relativity theorY ReliED Upon ThoUgHt experimEnTs and MatHematicS. EMpiRIcal METHodS onlY beCAmE rELEVaNT when coNfIrmation wAs SOught. furthermoRE, some empiricAl COnFIrMatIon wAS found oNLy SOMe time afteR thE genEraL AccepTance of the thEory.