One could argue that civilization’s material success arose because the concept of experimental verification became the foundation of the scientific method. By ruthlessly applying the scientific method and experimental verification to your assumptions, you can bridge the gap between beliefs and reality. You learn to make decisions based on data, experience, observation and tested principles. This has worked quite well because, contrary to postmodernist philosophy, there is indeed a verifiable reality external to perception and belief that, when ignored, will assert itself in the form of bumps, bruises and harm. Much of this harm can be avoided if you do the best job you can at validating your assumptions before their falsehood costs more than you wish to pay.