The ever more strong presence of information technology is decisive for the elaboration of new styles of research, for the production, storage and diffusion of texts and, last but not least, also for the modalities of teaching and learning in the field of Humanities.
Such a radical change of perspectives and languages is obviously at work also for the possible interconnections between digital innovations and studies on ancient philosophy.
Taken for granted such basic considerations, the 'Sezione Pensiero Antico decided to uphold a new project of research (coordinated by V. Celluprica, under the scientific responsibility of E. Spinelli and with technical support by G. Iannotta, A. Manchi and D. Papitto). It aims at elaborating and converting into digital form the first and sole complete edition of all the testimonies regarding Socrates and the so-called Minor Socratics. The basis of reference for the production of such 'virtual book', that can be browsed thanks to the easy options offered by Netscape, is the work Socratis et Socraticorum Reliquiae, edited by G. Giannantoni (4 volumes, Bibliopolis, Napoli 1990).
Apart from reproducing in digital form all the texts collected by Giannantoni and relatives Indices of sources and proper names, the electronic product hosts also two important Appendices: they contain the complete text of Aristophanes' Clouds and all the Socratic writings by Xenophon. In addition, there is also the possibility of reading, checking and 'word-processing' all the textual cross-references - among them, also those related to relevant passages from Plato's dialogues - added by Giannantoni in his apparatus superior. The mass of possible links available thanks to this new digital tool is a real labyrinth of cross-references or better an entire and structured universe of textual interconnections, which are immediately at hand of each scholar, who wants to work again and seriously on the rich Socratic tradition.
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