So say if they just know what frets are played on which strings, but don't necessarily know the key or what the scale is called, the mode, or the notes they're playing, just going off fret numbers and by sound, can you really say they know theory? I mean sure you can't go and say "Yeah he has a basic knowlege of theory and knows exactly how to apply what he's playing", that's rather obvious...

Note: I'm still learning here as well, and don't mean to come off as hostile or trying to start an argument, this question is an all seriousness.