The discussion centers on the existence of a theorem that allows for the direct calculation of higher-order derivatives, specifically the second and third derivatives, without first deriving the initial derivatives. Participants conclude that no such universal theorem exists, although they mention that certain functions can yield higher-order derivatives through substitution or series expansion. Taylor's theorem is highlighted as a method to derive any derivative by using the Taylor series of a function. The n! method is also referenced, which involves finding patterns in derivatives but still requires prior calculations of lower-order derivatives. Ultimately, the consensus is that while techniques exist to simplify the process, a direct theorem for higher-order derivatives is not available.