Judith,
I think the idea of a network theory would give us the better knowledge base.
Every individual thinks differently and may see insights that the author/discoverer may not have known or understood.
I have had to cover many fields which were very much limited by parameters that enclosed that field from expanding.
Many areas of science have errors generated from being enclosed or from short sighted scientists who NEVER want their areas of study to change.
The drawback is everyone wants to be acknowledged or first to come up with insight. This is very hard with so many fields of study involved to actually work together and not fight each other.