I think abstract, non-empirical knowledge can be useful. For example, all of mathematics. It is unreasonably effective at modeling nature, there is no reason wh

I think abstract, non-empirical knowledge can be useful. For example, all of mathematics. It is unreasonably effective at modeling nature, there is no reason why nature must adhere to abstract mathematics. For example the invention of the imaginary number preceded its explanation of alternating currents. I disagree with the claim that "pseudo-science" as you call it is used to discredit the establishment. Rather it is exactly the opposite, the establishment uses the label to discredit outlandish ideas. Every scientific theory starts off as hypothesis and maintains falsifiability, to accept it as dogma is worse than not exploring other ideas.