In the excerpt from Iain M. Banks' "Inversions," the idea is presented that people tend to accept and believe what they are told, aligning their beliefs with societal norms and accepted truths. This suggests a certain conformity in thought, where individuals may not question or challenge the information they receive, confining themselves to the familiar and the accepted.

However, the quote distinguishes between the general populace and two groups: foreigners and philosophers. Foreigners represent an outsider perspective that can question established beliefs, while philosophers embody a deeper inquiry into truth and knowledge. This highlights the notion that critical thinking and skepticism are often reserved for those who exist outside the conventional boundaries of thought.