Final answer:
Emerson admired historical figures like Moses, Plato, and Milton for their wisdom and moral insight, which reflect the core qualities of great men that he valued in individuality and freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that individuals such as Moses, Plato, and Milton should be admired because they represented the embodiment of wisdom, courage, and moral insight, which are universally recognized as moral qualities of great men. These figures, similar to the Enlightenment philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, laid down foundational work in their respective fields that has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of human thought and social organization. Emerson, in his writings, emphasized the importance of individuality, freedom, and a personal connection to the divine, values that these historical figures exemplify through their contributions to religion, philosophy, and literature.