Can a counterspell target itself

[Telekin]

Yet another question on countering spells

Let's look at the card Absorb

It says "Counter target spell. You gain 3 life."

Ok so now lets say I am low on life and the other player is about to attack me and win the game unless I can gain some life. Can I cast Absorb (even if other player did not play a spell), have the absorb counter itself, and then gain the 3 life?

[TauntingElf]

This sounds like one of those temporal paradoxes in Star Trek.

If the absorb countered itself, then wouldnt the counter be canceled and thus it wouldnt have countered itself?

Or if it succeeded in countering itself you should gain 3 life.. but since it has been countered, how can you gain the 3 life?

Just thinking about this gives me a headache

[teletel]

Ha Ha,

I am sure there is a ruling for this type of situation somewhere.

I dont know what it is though

[Zak]

A spell or ability on the stack can’t target itself.