Years before the release of Reason and Morality, Alan Gewirth's innovative ideas were already stirring the academic waters. Scholarly articles emerged, challenging his theories as presented in essays and lectures. When the book finally hit the shelves, it was met with a barrage of reviews and critical essays aimed at dissecting its arguments. Scholarly journals brimmed with discussions, with critics eagerly pointing out perceived logical flaws in Gewirth’s reasoning. Notably, Gewirth often had the opportunity to enter the fray, responding to critiques such as those by E. J. Bond in a 1980 series published by Metaphilosophy, aptly termed a “Symposium on Reason and Morality.”

The scrutiny did not end there. In 1984, Edward Regis, Jr. edited Gewirth’s Ethical Rationalism: Critical Essays with a Reply by Alan Gewirth, underscoring the academic community's intense engagement with Gewirth's theories. This collection, along with similar publications, reflects the significant scholarly investment in exploring Gewirth’s philosophical contributions during the years following the original publication. It was a period marked by rigorous debate, with Gewirth’s propositions under the microscope of rigorous academic critique.

The debate surrounding Reason and Morality persisted well into the next decade. In 1991, Deryck Beyleveld's comprehensive work, The Dialectical Necessity of Morality: An Analysis and Defense of Alan Gewirth’s Argument to the Principle of Generic Consistency, further illustrates the sustained interest in Gewirth’s ideas. Beyleveld meticulously cataloged dozens of criticisms, organizing them into sixty-six distinct objections, and dedicated nearly three hundred pages to defending Gewirth’s system against these challenges. This effort highlights the ongoing vibrancy of the debate and the intellectual vigor it inspired among philosophers.

References to Reason and Morality consistently reappear in reviews of Gewirth’s subsequent works. For instance, Stephen J. Pope, in his 1997 review for Theological Studies, described The Community of Rights (1996) as a direct continuation of the discourse initiated in Gewirth's seminal volume, further cementing its influence. Pope begins his analysis by summarizing the foundational impact of Reason and Morality, thereby acknowledging its pivotal role in the evolution of Gewirth's later thought.

Despite ongoing disagreements among scholars regarding the ultimate success of Gewirth's endeavor to establish a supreme principle of morality, Reason and Morality has undeniably achieved the stature of a classic in philosophical literature. It has firmly positioned Gewirth as a philosopher of profound significance, whose work continues to stimulate dialogue and debate, ensuring its legacy and impact endure.