I'd argue it's good to know not just the simple math of everything, but the basics of everything. Reasons why some designs are the way they are, what constraints technologies were designed under and how ideas evolved into what they are today. I can't say how annoyed I get at hearing people grumble about falsely intuitive topics and how much better they can do it given the shot with absolutely zero education in it (traffic light timings, road construction, software and the such come to mind.)

Sure there are clear benefits to the added creativity in your own field, but why not learn, well, just because? You'll have richer conversations guaranteed!