An Empirical Pragmatist tries to let reality make the final call. This person tends to build their worldview from what can be observed, tested, measured, replicated, or logically supported by what is already known. They may enjoy speculation, but they do not let speculation become truth too early. For them, usefulness matters, but usefulness does not outrank reality.
On a topic like astrology, the Empirical Pragmatist lets the evidence close the door. Astrology may be fun, culturally interesting, or emotionally comforting, but its empirical claims have failed testing, so it is not treated as true. Valhalla is handled similarly, but for a different reason: it describes a realm beyond current evidence. The Empirical Pragmatist may study it historically or mythologically, but not as a known reality.
String Theory is more interesting. It is not astrology, and it is not Valhalla. It is mathematically serious and scientifically motivated, but its empirical claims remain unverified. So the Empirical Pragmatist may follow it with curiosity while keeping it outside truth. Their stance is not “never.” It is “not yet.” Reality still gets the vote.
