“Back in my religious days if you independently rediscovered an idea already uncovered by some rabbi 400 years ago it was a big deal and great honor, the whole class would celebrate you. The bigger the rabbi the greater the honor.” — @hormeze

I think that this is a very healthy approach toward the rediscovery of ideas. Honoring both the lineage of knowledge and the ability to reach a particular conclusion instead of lamenting the fact that we do not get to reap the benefits of being the first to climb a particular hill.

Recognizing the value in the act of having an idea is also a healthy reminder for people afraid of having their ideas stolen: the apple does not fall far from the tree, you will have further good ideas while someone copying your result will have to work backward from that particular conclusion¹.