I should like to point out that Einstein came up with his theory of relativity by imagining himself riding on a beam of light. This is not part and parcel of the so-called scientific method. In fact, it’s not empirical at all. Yet you choose to give science the credit. Why is that?
Have you read
On The Electrodynamics Of Moving Bodies?
You really think this is a non-scientific treatment? Riding the light beam was a thought experiment. It was the "experiment" part after formulating his hypothesis. Yeah, he could do that in his brain, write down the results then justify it all with the most elegant proofs. You wonder why we hold him in such high esteem?