David Loye (1925–2022) was an American author, psychologist, and evolutionary systems scientist. His early career included service in World War II and work with journalists, followed by undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, where he was influenced by poet Robert Frost. He later earned advanced degrees in psychology from the New School in Princeton, New Jersey.

Loye's work delved into significant societal issues, including racism, which he addressed in his award-winning book, "The Healing of a Nation." He also contributed to research on the impact of mass entertainment, particularly television violence, on human evolution and survival. In his later years, he focused on writing and research concerning societal evolution, collaborating with Riane Eisler and Ervin Laszlo on theories of cooperative evolution. He was a co-founder of the General Evolution Research Group and served on the editorial board of "World Futures: The Journal of General Evolution."

David Loye dedicated a significant portion of his career to exploring evolutionary theory, particularly in its social and human contexts. He challenged prevailing notions of evolution, such as the "survival of the fittest" or "selfish gene" theories, advocating instead for a perspective that emphasized moral evolution and cooperation as primary drivers of human development. His work on Darwin's theories, notably "Darwin's Lost Theory," aimed to reframe our understanding of evolutionary processes and their implications for humanity's future. Loye was a key figure in developing concepts for a cooperatively oriented theory of evolution, collaborating with prominent thinkers like Riane Eisler and Ervin Laszlo. This collaborative spirit extended to his co-founding of the multinational General Evolution Research Group and his involvement with "World Futures: The Journal of General Evolution."

Throughout his career, Loye integrated psychological perspectives with his research on evolution and the future. His academic pursuits led him to earn master's and doctoral degrees in psychology, and he held positions at institutions like Educational Testing Services and UCLA's School of Medicine, where he focused on psychosocial adaptation. Loye's interest in forecasting and prophecy is evident in his book "The Knowable Future: A Psychology of Forecasting and Prophecy." He also explored the intersection of brain, mind, and future vision in "The Sphinx and the Rainbow." His later works, such as "An Arrow Through Chaos," continued to examine how humans perceive and interact with the future, often framing these explorations within a broader evolutionary context.

David Loye's commitment to understanding and improving society was a recurring theme in his work. His book "The Healing of a Nation," which received national awards, directly addressed the historical roots of racism in America and proposed solutions for healing this societal "sickness." He also contributed to early research examining the effects of television violence and mass entertainment on societal evolution and long-term human survival. This focus on healing and societal progress extended to his work with Riane Eisler on "The Partnership Way," offering practical tools for improving relationships and communities. His later publications, like "Bankrolling Evolution" and "Measuring Evolution," explored leadership and national well-being from an evolutionary standpoint.

“everyone concerned with our understanding of evolution on this planet owes Loye a deep debt of gratitude... Of urgent importance to the intellectual discourse of our time...[he] has brought his unique erudition to an enormous and critical task, and carried it off with genius...Should cause a revolution in social theory...Dramatically changes our understanding of Darwin and of evolution itself...One of the major books of the early Twenty-First Century”