The discussion centers on the nature of energy, questioning whether it is an observable quantity or merely a description of energy change. Participants argue that energy is often confused with action, particularly in classical mechanics, where energy change is emphasized over energy itself. They highlight that while energy can be mathematically defined, its physical observability remains contentious, with many asserting that only energy changes can be directly observed. Examples like kinetic and potential energy illustrate that energy is not a physical property but rather a measure of a system's ability to perform work. The conversation concludes with a call for clearer definitions in educational texts, as the current understanding of energy can be confusing.