One benefit of Science to present-day civilization is ‘proving’ common sense. When the mind is assured, we can get on with what the body has been feeling and doing naturally.
A case in point: on CBC’s Radio Australia on the weekend a man from California was describing a new office building in San Francisco without air conditioning but dependent for cooling and circulation on windows that open and close and the site placement of the structure to take advantage of the prevailing winds. Careful calculation had gone into all this. It was ‘proved’ that employees felt good in the natural environment and this resulted in a decrease in absenteeism and an increase in productivity. Ten percent so. Economically worthwhile.
Other laboratory focus is on the effect of light in the home and workplace. On crowding. On putting harmful substances on and in us. On the importance of feeling good.