if we have to become a great scientist should we know all that has been discovered or is it our imagination?

Question

I also mean that for ex does albert einstein know about all the theories in physics and mathematics before inventing his theory of relativity

Answer 1

Of course not! Even in his time, it was impossible for one person to know all that is known. He knew most of what was known in physics and a fair share of what was known in mathematics. But every practicing biologist knew more biology than he did.

More important than what you know is that you learn to think critically and systematically, and that you are willing to do it.

Answer 2

You do not need to know everything in your field. Being able to parrot every theory is a nice party trick but it does not enable useful research, just a lot of boring publications.

The level of detail is relative to the focus of your research. Having general knowledge of other theories helps, but you don't have to be an expert on them. You may make an advance in a previously untouched area in which case you will quickly become a pioneering expert.

Having the great idea is the easy part and can be accomplished with a minimal understanding of a field. Proving it is a great idea is where the real work comes in...

Answer 3

Contrary to popular belief among a lot of crackpots, in order to come up with a legitimate new scientific theory, even one apparently radically different from anything that has gone before, you have to understand the existing theories in order to see how well your theory fits. The phrase 'thinking outside the box' implies that you know where the edges of the box are.

Answer 4

Read your history I think Albert almost failed math.

Answer 5

Of course. He just added to the knowledge that was laready there.