In the inaugural set of Seeley Lectures, the distinguished political philosopher James Tully addresses the demands for cultural recognition that constitute the major conflicts of today: supranational associations, nationalism and federalism, linguistic and ethnic minorities, feminism, multiculturalism and aboriginal self government. Neither modern nor post-modern constitutionalism can adjudicate such claims justly. However, by surveying 400 years of constitutional practice, with special attention to the American aboriginal peoples, Tully develops a new philosophy of constitutionalism based on dialogues of conciliation which, he argues, have the capacity to mediate contemporary conflicts and bring peace to the twenty-first century. Strange Multiplicity brings profound historical, critical and philosophical perspectives to our most pressing contemporary conflicts, and provides an authoritative guide to constitutional possibilities in a multicultural age.

1994年，塔利教授应邀担任首届约翰・罗伯特・西利讲座的演讲人。西利讲座为英国剑桥大学历史系与出版社共同主办，邀请国际杰出学者，以明白易懂的语言讲述社会与政治领域中切中实际的普遍议题。

本书在塔利的讲稿“歧异时代的宪政主义”基础上编著而成。书中，塔利直面当代政治领域，由各民族争取文化承认之要求所引发的冲突和困境。他运用维特根斯坦元语言理论之哲学原则，对四百年来欧洲宪政思潮及其殖民史进行批判性的检视，以此发展出一种具备“后帝国主义”式的宪政哲学与实务。这种宪政哲学，弘扬所谓“海达族家园的精神”，即强调各民族的公民们在古宪法常规的指导下，共同致力于对话和协商，以找出调解彼此间文化差异的恰当形式。